Perennial leading driver Jason Bartlett captured his seventh driving title at Yonkers Raceway in 2017, while conditioner Richard Banca dethroned Rene Allard to take home the leading trainer crown.
The 235-program season (three postponements) which concluded on Sunday (December 17) saw Bartlett bring home 542 winners in 2,635 driving assignments, also leading in that category, to win at a 22.9 percent clip. The 36-year-old native of Augusta, ME, bankrolled $10.4 million in purses which was tops among drivers at Empire City Casino’s historic half-mile oval.
“Air” Jordan Stratton ascended to second in the Yonkers standings for the first time on the strength of his finest season with 378 wins and $8.3 million in purses, while George Brennan (327), Brent Holland (214) and Dan Dube (182) completed the top five.
Banca, a 42-year-old native of Paterson, NJ, sent out 187 winners, 36 more than last season’s leading trainer, Rene Allard (151). Banca also led with 986 starters (19 percent winning percentage) and purses ($4.01 million). Scott DiDomenico (117 wins), Ron Burke (109) and Gilberto Garcia-Herrera (87) completed the leading five among wins.
Yonkers’ 2018 season is set to begin with a Sunday, January 7, matinee (post time TBA). A complete schedule accompanies this release, with all dates pending approval of the New York State Gaming Commission.